Tastes

After breathing for some time, the first aroma stirs thoughts of a warm spring day on a ball field with your favorite baseball glove; you place the glove over you nose and take in that warm, fresh leather aroma. I am brought back to my childhood years. Breathe again and the aroma of Cracker Jacks (caramel popcorn) add more youthful baseball flashbacks. Small hints of bananas. The initial sip is hot and strong. The secondary sip is softer and the cinnamon notes are the primary player. The finish is oaky with black pepper and lasts virtually forever. This whiskey requires water. A good teaspoon opens the fruity side and awakens the banana and vanilla notes. The dram softens and becomes sweeter and greatly improved. An excellent bourbon that needs to be slowly sipped. A much more sophisticated bourbon. On par with Bookers or Four Roses. [$60][Opened: 4/24/16; 5/6/16][88/100]

A long weekend to Maryland and purchased this at a reasonable price. Being partial to Bruichladdich, I figured this would be a low risk high reward scotch....and I was proved correct. The nose is somewhat unique, complex and delightful. The barley is strong in this one (Star Wars weak reference) that is sugary sweet, floral, tropical of apricots, pineapple. Wafting in the background supporting the aromas, is the maritime sea air the slowly gets stronger over time. The initial arrival is soft and confectionery sweet. Once arrived, the palate tuns slightly orange citrusy and bitter (orange rind) with a touch of oak. The palate is left with these same notes with a touch of spearmint. A touch of water is recommended. The barley becomes much more distinct and the palate sweeter. The bitterness is lessened, however the finish is slightly shorter. This dram was/is a delight that conjures (for me) images of summer days at the beach house with family, friends, margaritas, Bob Marley, sunsets and we "Don't Worry 'bout a thing." [$50][Opened: 4/25/16][88/100]

[$62]

Well, starting the Memorial Day weekend and a well anticipated pour of this whisky that I have had for some time. It will open this long weekend (and very much thankful for those who have defended and protected our freedoms.) The nose starts off as distinct aromas, almost as if you can pick each out out of an imaginary box. Those aromas consist of honey, candle wax, nutmeg, cantaloupe, Frosted Flakes, toasted marshmallows. As it opens, the aromas begin to synergistically meld and the collective produces a savory sweetness. More fruity sweetness comes forward. Pears, bananas, and pineapples with a touch of vanilla, candy corns sugar and a dash of cinnamon. Quite enticing. The palate becomes soft and velvety within a waxy body. A primary sugary sweetness is encapsulated containing caramel, brown sugar and vanilla. There is a definite spiciness but not intense: White pepper and ground cinnamon. Orange marmalade flashes briefly in the mid-palate and an oakiness begins the transition to the finish. The palate is left with some oaky char, cinnamon with a small amount of orange zest with a woody dryness. This is all rather brief. This is a quality scotch with a fabulous opening. The breadth and gelling of aromas is quite pleasant setting high expectations. If the palate could match the strength of the nose, and the length of the finish was longer, this would be a powerhouse. But unfortunately it’s not as broad and leaves you wanting more from the flavors. This however is still a flavorful whisky. A staple for any collection. [$45][88/100][Tasted: 5/25/18]

[$39]

[$57]

[$72]

[$29]